Important Documents to Keep After a Fire Accident

A fire accident can destroy your home and possessions. Even a small spark can transform into a raging inferno in no time, and the damage to your property will likely be severe. Fire can also cause physical and mental suffering for you and your loved ones. If you have suffered damages due to a fire accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your losses.

A number of factors can lead to a fire accident, including carelessness in the construction or maintenance of a home or business, defective appliances or equipment and poor workplace safety. If you have been injured due to a fire accident, you can file a negligence lawsuit against the responsible party or parties. You can also file a workers’ compensation claim if you were hurt in the course of your employment.

If you experience a fire accident, it is important to contact the police and your insurance company immediately. They can provide you with advice about what to do next and will help you take the necessary steps to make your home safe again. If you must evacuate your home, the fire department will let you know if it is safe to return. If the electricity and gas have been turned off, you must call the utility companies to have these services turned back on.

You should keep a record of everything that you lose as a result of your fire loss. This will be useful in establishing the value of your property and verifying any losses you claim on your income tax return. Important documents include:

As you begin to clean up your property, be sure to save receipts for anything you purchase. This will be helpful in establishing the value of your lost property for your insurance company.

Many victims of fire accidents suffer serious injuries, such as burns and smoke inhalation. These are often extremely painful and disfiguring. Victims may also suffer psychological damage, which is often difficult to quantify.

In addition to the damage caused by the flames and heat of the fire, the water sprayed on the home or business and ventilation from broken windows can also cause extensive damage to furniture, flooring, walls and appliances. These are referred to as secondary damages and are often less obvious than the direct damage caused by the fire.

If you have been hurt in a fire accident, you should contact an experienced law firm to investigate the incident and determine what parties may be liable for your damages. We will work hard to gather evidence from photos and videos, witness statements, police and fire department reports and inspections, medical records, laboratory tests and other sources. We will consult expert witnesses to help us prove your case and negotiate aggressively with insurance companies and opposition attorneys for maximum compensation. If the fire accident was the result of gross or willful negligence, you may be awarded punitive damages. These are meant to punish the defendant for a reckless and reprehensible act.